Jimmy Blackwood retires; Mike Helwig joins Blackwood Brothers

The Blackwood Brothers have announced the retirement of Jimmy Blackwood as the lead singer for the group. Mike Helwig will join the group. Mike has previously sung with the Wilburns, the Stamps Quartet, Promise and the Dixie Echoes. He and his wife, Leslie, and their children make their home in Carthage, Tenn.

The Blackwood Brothers made the announcement in Memphis at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center .

Jimmy joined the Blackwood Brothers in 1969 singing lead in place of his dad, James, who was experiencing health problems and needed to slow his pace at that time. Jimmy continued in that position until 1986 when he left to pursue solo ministry opportunities. He rejoined the group in 2004 and has successfully led the group for the past eight years.

Speaking at the conclusion of the concert, his brother, Billy, said,"This is a bittersweet moment. It's always good to be home in Memphis, but it's sad to announce that Jimmy is retiring."

Fun Clip Friday - Singing News Fan Awards

Sorry for the lack of blogging this week. Research for my thesis proposal has taken over my life this week. I'll try to be better next week!

The Singing News Fan Awards are next week on Oct. 3. The awards will be broadcast online this year at 2 p.m. (CST) on Singing News' website free of charge. Today's Fun Clip Friday is from the 2001 Fan Awards of fun between Tony and TaRanda Greene. Today also marks two years since Tony went to his Heavenly home. He's definitely still missed! Hope you enjoy!

Count Me In - The Hoppers - CD Review

The Hoppers' latest album Count Me In is slated to release on October 22. However, fans can purchase copies now from the group. The album, produced by Claude, Dean, Michael and Kim Hopper and Michael Sykes, is another strong project for one of the favorite families of gospel music.

There are several standout songs that I found myself hitting repeat on. The first one is "I'll Take You Home." I first heard the song when I saw the Hoppers in Branson, and I knew instantly this would be one of my new favorite Hopper songs. The second verse features Connie, while on the first verse the group sings together.

The title track "Count Me In", written by Ronny Hinson, features Dean. It's another one that I saw them sing live before hearing the album and another great uptempo song. It's their latest radio single.

"He Didn't Just Carry the Cross He Carried Me" is a song that Kim shines on. It's not an elaborate arrangement that really allows Kim's voice and the lyrics of the song to be the focus.

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is not one that I expected to see on a Hopper album. However, Connie does a beautiful job on this song, and it's definitely one that stands out. The Hoppers have even done a concept video to go with the song that was played at NQC.

There are three Gaither songs on the project: "I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen," "I'll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus" and "I Will Serve Thee." I really enjoyed the group's rendition of the first one. The other two are songs that the group has had recorded on other albums (Gaither's Homecoming Tent Revival and The Best of the Hoppers). While they are strong songs vocally for the group, it would have been nice for something new. The same goes for "If I Can Help Somebody."

Overall, the albums is yet another great release from the Hoppers. There are several stand out songs that I can see climbing the charts for them. I don't think it's my favorite Hopper release in recent years, but still a very strong project.

Song List:
1. "Mighty is the Word"
2. "That's What I Love About Him"
3. "I'll Take You Home"**
4. "He Didn't Just Carry the Cross He Carried Me"**
5. "I Just Feel Like Something Good's About to Happen"**
6. "If I Can Help Somebody"
7. "Count Me In"**
8. "I'll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus"**
9. "I Am Whatever You Need"
10. "I Will Serve Thee"
11. "I Wish We'd All Been Ready"

** Personal Favorites

Fun Clip Friday with the McKameys

The Singing News created a lot of videos and interviews with artists last week during the National Quartet Convention. One of those was the retelling of an incident while Rick Francis was on the road with the McKameys! Enjoy today's Fun Clip Friday!

I'll Trust the Potter's Hand - When Lyrics Speak

Birthdays always make me very reflective. As I celebrated another year of life this week, I thought about how I never would have pictured my life the way it is now. If it had been up to me, I would have a much different life. It's not that I'm in a bad place now, I have a good life with great family, friends, church, job and the list goes on. It's just that it's not what I would have planned for myself.

I'm a planner. I like to schedule things in advance and plan out what I'll be doing and when. But I've learned you can't plan life. Unexpected things happen, and life doesn't always make sense. But thankfully when we don't think life makes sense, God can see the full picture.

A song that's meant a lot to me recently is "I'll Trust the Potter's Hand" by the Whisnants. It's a great reminder of Who is in control and how He always knows best.

The chorus of this song simply states that:

"I'll trust the potter's hands, He knows what's best for me,
He has a perfect plan these human eyes can't see,
He's the potter I'm the clay,
He knows just how much I can take,
When I face the fire again I'll trust the potter's hands."

I've often questioned where God has me and why I've gone through certain trials in my life. But God has a perfect plan, and He can see my entire life and knows from beginning to end every detail. It all makes perfect sense to Him, how He's preparing me for the future, even though I can't see it now.

The second verse mentions God molding us into His design. Wouldn't
I much rather be molded into who He wants me to be and not try to go my own way? Who am I to question an omnipotent and omniscient God? It's so much better to trust Him to mold us into what and where He wants us to be.

Even when I don't understand where life brings me, I can trust that God's preparing me for His will and purpose. God knows exactly how much I can take. When I don't understand the trial or circumstances and feel that I can't take anymore, I can be assured that I'm in His hands. And I can trust the Potter's Hand.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11